Baseus Bowie M2s & WM01 Review: Can $11.3 ANC Earbuds Actually Be Good?

Baseus (倍思) is best known for chargers and cables, but in recent years their Bowie series of TWS earbuds has carved out a serious niche in the ultra-budget audio segment. The headline act: Active Noise Cancellation starting at $11.3 ($11).

Can earbuds costing less than a decent lunch deliver a worthwhile listening experience? After combing through reviews from JD.com, Taobao, Bilibili, SMZDM, and Zhihu, here’s the truth about Baseus wireless earbuds.

The Bowie Lineup

Model	Price	Key Features	Best For
Bowie WM01	$11.3–99	Basic TWS, IPX5, 25h battery	Absolute budget buyers
Bowie E8	$14.1–139	Low latency game mode (38ms)	Mobile gamers
Bowie M2s	$21.3–199	ANC (-38dB), APP control	ANC on a tight budget
Bowie MA10	$18.4–179	Earhook design	Sports/running

Design and Build

The Bowie series uses matte polycarbonate with multiple color options (black, white, blue, pink). The charging cases are compact and pocketable—slightly chunkier than AirPods but far from bulky.

The M2s and E8 feature an in-ear design with ear wings that anchor the buds securely. Across Taobao and Xiaohongshu reviews, users consistently report stable fit during exercise and daily commutes. The IPX5 water resistance means they can handle sweat and light rain.

Build quality is acceptable for the price. The hinges feel slightly loose on some units, and the plastic finish shows fingerprints, but nothing egregious at this price point.

Sound Quality

This is where you feel the budget pricing. Across Zhihu and Bilibili reviews, the consensus is clear:

• Bass — Over-emphasized and slightly boomy. Satisfying for pop and EDM but lacks definition.
• Mids — Slightly recessed. Vocals can sound thin compared to more expensive earbuds.
• Treble — Rolled off to avoid harshness, resulting in a slightly muddy top end.

Is the sound bad? No. For $11.3–199, it’s perfectly acceptable for casual listening, podcasts, and background music. Audiophiles should look elsewhere, but the average listener will find them adequate and enjoyable.

“The Bass is punchy but bloated. For $14.1 they’re fine. Don’t expect audiophile quality.” — Bilibili reviewer

Active Noise Cancellation (M2s)

The headline feature—-38dB ANC at $21.3–199 ($21–28)—is genuinely impressive for the price. It won’t rival Sony’s WF-1000XM5 or Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, but it effectively reduces:

• Air conditioning hum ✓
• Traffic noise ✓
• Office chatter (partial) ⚠️
• Loud conversations ❌

For anyone who has never tried ANC earbuds, the M2s will be a revelation at this price. For ANC veterans, they’ll notice the reduced effectiveness at higher frequencies and the lack of advanced features like adaptive mode.

Low-Latency Gaming Mode

The Bowie E8 features a 38ms low-latency gaming mode, which is genuinely good for mobile gaming. Bilibili gaming reviewers note the audio-visual sync is tight enough for PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and rhythm games. The M2s also includes a gaming mode, though slightly higher latency.

What Chinese Users Are Saying

We analyzed reviews across JD.com, Taobao, Bilibili, SMZDM, and Zhihu:

Praises:

• ✅ Extreme value — ANC at $11.3–199 is unmatched (JD, Taobao)
• ✅ Low latency — 38ms game mode is great for mobile gaming (JD, Bilibili)
• ✅ Good feature set — APP control, EQ, wear detection (Taobao, SMZDM)
• ✅ Stylish design — multiple colors, decent build (Taobao, Xiaohongshu)
• ✅ Stable fit during exercise — ear wings keep them secure (Taobao, Xiaohongshu)

Criticisms:

• ⚠️ Mediocre sound — vocals thin, bass boomy (Zhihu, Bilibili)
• ⚠️ Average battery life — 20–25h total, behind competitors (JD, SMZDM)

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Unbeatable price for ANC ($21.3–199)	Sound quality is average
Low-latency gaming mode (38ms)	Battery life only 20–25h total
IPX5 water resistant	Build quality feels budget
Wear detection and APP control	ANC effective but limited bandwidth
Secure fit with ear wings	No wireless charging

FAQ

Q: Are Baseus Bowie earbuds compatible with iPhones?
A: Yes, they work with any Bluetooth device. The Baseus APP is available on both iOS and Android for EQ adjustment and firmware updates.

Q: How does the ANC on the M2s compare to AirPods Pro?
A: The M2s ANC is approximately 60–70% as effective as AirPods Pro 2. It handles consistent low-frequency noise well but struggles with dynamic, high-frequency sounds. For 20% of the price, it’s an impressive feat.

Q: Which Bowie model is best for mobile gaming?
A: The Bowie E8 has the lowest latency at 38ms, making it the best choice for gaming. The M2s is also good but has slightly higher latency.

Q: Do the earbuds support multipoint connection?
A: No, Baseus Bowie earbuds currently lack multipoint Bluetooth. You need to disconnect from one device before connecting to another.

Q: Is the Baseus APP worth using?
A: Yes. The APP offers custom EQ presets, touch control customization, firmware updates, and battery level display. It’s not the most polished app, but it adds genuine value.

Verdict

The Baseus Bowie series—particularly the M2s with ANC at $21.3–199—offers extraordinary value for the money. The sound quality won’t impress audiophiles, and the ANC isn’t premium-tier, but at these prices, the compromises are remarkably minor.

If your budget is under $28.6 ($28) and you want ANC, the Baseus Bowie M2s is the choice. If you don’t need ANC, the Bowie E8 at $14.1–139 is a fantastic all-rounder for mobile gamers.

Score: 7.8/10

Model	Score
Bowie WM01	7.0/10
Bowie E8	8.0/10
Bowie M2s	8.2/10 (Best Buy)
Bowie MA10	7.5/10